Tuesday 30 March 2010

Stand by... Stand by

The election will be called this week. And already politicians are tying themselves in knots . Earlier this month the Justice Secretary Jack Straw stated Labour would reform the upper chamber - a promise first made around 1997. Two weeks later the idea was shelved once again.

Now the parties are blowing hot and cold over the economy: First it's tax rises, then tax cuts. They'll tackle the budget deficit, then it's, not straight away.

None of this bodes well for the high point of the campaign - the publication of the manifestos. Will anyone believe a single word that's in them? Will voters find themselves choosing between one set of fragile promises and another?

Sometimes it's hard to be a party, giving all you've got to one campaign. But, with respect for politicians at an all time low, it's crucial they win back our trust. There can be no ambiguity, no hesitation. People will want an unequivocal "YES!" when they ask the question: Will you stand by your manifesto?"

11 comments:

  1. Election this week? Say who???

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  2. Promises that politicians kept, chance would be a fine thing. But yes the question should be asked again and again of them

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  3. Conservative economic policy has just gone from bad to absurd. Can't believe how the Tories have squandered their public capital with so many dire campaign blunders and inconsistent policies

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  4. One of your previous posts said it all - the country needs a hung parliament. VinceCable as chancellor... end this shifting between 'strong' Labour or Conservative governments

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  5. How can any party keep promises on the economy when they don't know what's ahead?
    The idea that any of the parties has a clue is always debatable anyway

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  6. Sum of us might even stand by our man, dear!

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  7. This week? Can't find any other publication that says the election will be called this week

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  8. Britain cannot avoid cuts. The parties will ALL flip-flop continually through this campaign. You can be sure

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  9. Fidelity, not something you associate with this lot

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  10. With some manifestos... perhaps it's better if they don't stand by them

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  11. None of the parties will offer much, so I doubt they'll have a lot to stand by.
    Who says election call this week, by the way???

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